Title: Recasting Paradigm Shift: "True" Sustainability and Complex Systems
Abstract: Within environmental sociology there exists a debate between competing theories of societal development and its accompanying ecological repercussions and possible solutions. Environmental reform (ecological modernization) and unsustainable economic system (treadmill of production, ecological unequal exchange, and structural human ecology) theories propose two very different paths for the direction of society in addressing the multiple ecological crises of the 21 st century. Both approaches provide theoretical and practical strides in addressing these questions within environmental sociology; however, both also fail to address important foci for the future. For us to continue to thrive as a species we must reconsider our relationship with nature and abandon our anthropocentric views of nature by taking a position that recognizes our role in a complex system. Ultimately, mechanisms for building resilience and adaptation and reducing vulnerability rely upon a paradigm shift, an understanding of “true” and “false” sustainability, and adaptation and resilience strategies that afford us an opportunity to recast social-ecological relationships towards “true” sustainability.
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 9
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